Brian Urlacher

Urlacher was considered one of the most talented collegiate prospects in the 2000 NFL Draft,[17] and impressed spectators and analysts at the NFL Scouting Combine by bench pressing 225 pounds twenty-seven times, and completing the forty-yard dash in 4.57 seconds.[3] The Chicago Bears, who were in need of a defensive playmaker after having the 29th ranked defense in 1999,[18] selected Urlacher in the first round, as the draft's ninth overall pick.[19]

He signed a five-year contract, which was worth nearly eight million dollars with a five and a half million dollar signing bonus, within two months of the draft.[20] Dick Jauron, who was then the Bears' head coach, recognized Urlacher's versatility as a middle and outside linebacker, and appointed him as the team's starting strongside linebacker.[3][21] However, Urlacher struggled to perform consistently in his first professional game, and lost his starting position to Rosevelt Colvin.[22] Jauron left Urlacher on the sidelines during the following week, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shut out the Bears, 41–0.[23]

He managed to regain a starting spot on the Bears' roster, after Barry Minter, the team's veteran middle linebacker, was forced to miss the Week 3 game on account of an injury.[24] Urlacher excelled at the middle linebacker position, and recorded 46 tackles, six sacks, and one interception in his next five starts.[23] Not even a rib cage injury hindered his performance during this period, as Urlacher went on to win the league's Rookie Defensive Player of the Month in October.[24] He led the Bears with 124 tackles and eight sacks, both of which surpassed the franchise's previous rookie records.[25] Although the Bears finished with a disappointing 5–11 record, Urlacher received a number of individual accolades for his performance during the season. Many news organizations, such as the Associated Press and The Sporting News named him as the 2000 Defensive Rookie of the Year.[5][26] Football fans across the nation also voted Urlacher to play at the 2001 Pro Bowl as an alternate middle linebacker.[3] Urlacher's successful rookie campaign served as the foundation for his professional career and reputation.[27]

Urlacher further distinguished himself as one of the Bears' most productive playmakers during the 2001 season. He had one of the best games of his career on October 7, against the Atlanta Falcons. Urlacher held Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who was well known for his scrambling abilities, to 18 rushing yards,[28] and recorded a forced fumble and sack.[23] He also returned one of Vick's fumbles for a 90-yard touchdown.[23] Two weeks later, Urlacher helped set up a Bears comeback victory against the San Francisco 49ers by intercepting a pass, and later setting up a game-winning touchdown return for Mike Brown, after causing 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens to lose control of a pass.[3] He also caught a touchdown pass from punter Brad Maynard off a fake field goal attempt against the Washington Redskins in Week 14, which clinched a first-round bye.[29] Urlacher concluded the season with three interceptions, six sacks, and was a candidate for 2001 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award.[30] Football Digest named Urlacher their publication's defensive player of the year.[30] The 2001 Chicago Bears won 13 games, marking the team's best finish since 1986, but lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.[23]

Unfortunately, the Bears' 2001 winning season would be followed by three years of mediocrity. Before the 2004 NFL season, the Bears' organization fired coach Dick Jauron and then hired Lovie Smith. After the Bears started the season on the lower rungs of the NFC North, Urlacher suffered several injuries that sidelined him for a majority of the season.[31]

Urlacher in 2011.

In 2005, Urlacher won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year after playing for a defensive team that allowed the fewest points per game, and created the most turnovers in the National Football Conference.[32] Urlacher himself recorded at least 10 tackles in six consecutive games, while finishing the season with a team high 121 tackles.[33] He was also credited as one of the team's leaders, whose audibles and experience helped develop several younger teammates.[34] Urlacher led the Bears to an 11–5 record, marking their best finish since 2001. Urlacher played his second career playoff game against the Carolina Panthers on January 15, 2006. He recorded seven tackles and one interception in a 29–21 loss.[23] Urlacher was also selected to the 2006 Pro Bowl, but declined the position on account of an injury.[35]

The team continued their resurgence into the 2006 season, finishing with a record of 13–3. During the season, Urlacher had one of the best performances of his professional career against the Arizona Cardinals.[36] He helped the Bears overcome a 20-point deficit by recording 19 tackles and a forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown.[36] Teammate Devin Hester commented on Urlacher's performance, stating, "We watched the film and everybody was saying that he just turned into the Incredible Hulk the last four minutes of the game, just killing people and running over and tackling whoever had the ball."[37] The Bears won the NFC Championship against the New Orleans Saints, 39–14, but lost Super Bowl XLI to the Indianapolis Colts, 29–17. Urlacher finished the season with 93 tackles and three forced fumbles. He was elected to the 2006 All-Pro Team and 2007 Pro Bowl, while also earning consideration for the League's Defensive Player of the Year award.[38]

The Bears were unable to replicate their success in the 2007 season, and finished last in the NFC North. In the middle of the season, Urlacher admitted that he had been suffering from an arthritic back, but later claimed the ailment was not serious.[39] Nevertheless, he finished the season on a high note, registering five interceptions, five sacks, one fumble recovery, 123 tackles, and a defensive touchdown.[40] Following the season's conclusion, Urlacher received minor neck surgery to treat his arthritic back.[41] During the offseason, Urlacher revised his contract with the Bears, who granted him a $6 million signing bonus with a $1 million increase in salary each of the next four years.[42]

Urlacher dislocated his wrist in the 2009 season opener against the Packers. He underwent surgery, and went on to miss the remainder of the season.[43] Urlacher had severely damaged a bone in his wrist that was adjacent to a major nerve. Urlacher was forced to wear a cast on his wrist for 12 weeks and spend a month in therapy to recover from the injury.[44] The Bears began to struggle on offense and defense. As frustration built, Urlacher criticized the Bears offense, stating that the addition of quarterback Jay Cutler had changed the team's identity.[45][46] The Bears, who have historically employed a strong running game, were beginning to rely more on the pass on offense.[45][46] He went on to say, "Kyle Orton might not be the flashiest quarterback, but the guy is a winner, and that formula worked for us. I hate to say it, but that's the truth."[45] Urlacher and Cutler later made amends.[45] The Bears finished the season with a 7–9 record, and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year.

After recovering from the injury, Urlacher stated, "I feel more powerful. I'm running to the football, my keys are a lot more clear now, and I'm playing downhill... So I think it did help my body kind of calm down and relax a little bit.[47] " During the 2010 offseason, Bears general manager Jerry Angelo bolstered the team's defense by signing free agent Julius Peppers.[48]

With Peppers's help, Urlacher and the Bears improved to an 11–5 record in the 2010 NFL season, winning the NFC North and earning a first-round bye for the 2011 Playoffs. After leading the NFC in tackles (49) during the period, Urlacher was recognized as the NFC Defensive Player of the Month during December/January.[49] It was the first time winning the award in his career. Urlacher was also voted to his seventh Pro Bowl for his stellar defensive efforts during the year.

In 2011, in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings, Urlacher sprained his MCL when teammate Major Wright and Vikings receiver Percy Harvin landed on him with 5:15 left in the game.[50][51] Urlacher was eventually named to the Pro Bowl, but did not play due to the injury against Minnesota. He missed much of the team's summer practice OTA's while trying to recover from the injury.[52] On August 14, 2012, Urlacher had an arthroscopic debridement procedure on his left knee, and stated that his goal was to play in the 2012 season opener.[53] He eventually practiced on September 3,[54] and played against the Colts in the season opener,[55] though he sat out the second half.[56]

Urlacher in 2009

In 2012, Urlacher was awarded the Ed Block Courage Award, given to those who showed a commitment to sportsmanship and courage. During his award acceptance speech, Urlacher thanked the Bears for their support after his mother Lavoyda Lenard died.[57] Against the Tennessee Titans in Week 9, Urlacher intercepted Matt Hasselbeck, and returned the pick 46 yards for a touchdown.[58] Urlacher led the Bears in tackles until Week 13 against the Seahawks, in which he sustained a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.[59][60] Urlacher became an unrestricted free agent on March 12, 2013.[59] On March 20, the Bears announced that Urlacher would not return in 2013 after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a new contract.[61] Urlacher later belittled Phil Emery's contract negotiations with him and stated the Bears had little intention to re-sign him.[62] In 2015, Urlacher told ESPN that he still respected the Bears organization and front office, but has yet to speak to Emery, who was fired in 2014.[63]

On May 22, 2013, Urlacher announced his retirement via his Twitter account.[64] In 182 games in the NFL, Urlacher started all but two, the third most in franchise history behind Walter Payton (184) and Olin Kreutz (183), recording a team-record 1,779 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 22 interceptions, 16 fumble recoveries, and 11 forced fumbles.[65]

On November 21, 2017, Urlacher was announced as one of 27 semi-finalists for the 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.[66][67] The nomination was Urlacher's first, and came in his first year of eligibility.[68] On February 3, 2018, Urlacher was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[69]

Following his successful rookie season, Urlacher was able to gain popularity with the fans. On a national level, Urlacher's jersey sales have rivaled those of other NFL superstars, such as Brett Favre and Michael Vick.[83] Football fans across the nation have also voted Urlacher into eight Pro Bowls.[84] Urlacher's teammates and coaches have also praised his character and athletic ability.[85] In 2007, former teammate Tank Johnson called upon Urlacher to testify during one of his court hearings.[86]

Even after winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award for the 2005 season, a 2006 Sports Illustrated poll of 361 NFL players named Urlacher the second most overrated player in the league behind Terrell Owens.[87] In response, Urlacher has stated "Just watch the film. I don't know what people are saying, but I'm not too worried about it anymore. All I can do is go out there and play hard and try and help my team win, and that's what I'm going to keep doing."[88]